CNN Found Liable for Defamation in Lawsuit by U.S. Navy Veteran Over Afghanistan Evacuations

Plaintiff accused CNN of tarnishing his reputation by portraying him as a profiteer exploiting Afghans in need.

CNN has reached a settlement with U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young, who was accused of defamation after the network aired a segment in which he was branded a profiteer for evacuating Afghans for a fee. This ruling comes after a jury found the news outlet liable for defamation, awarding Young $5 million in damages.

The settlement was announced by Circuit Judge William Henry after a two-week trial in Panama City, Florida. The agreement avoids the second phase of the trial, which would have determined punitive damages. While the terms of the settlement were not disclosed, the jury's decision concluded that CNN’s reporting had harmed Young's reputation.

In 2022, Young filed a lawsuit against CNN, accusing the network of destroying his reputation in a broadcast on The Lead with Jake Tapper. The segment depicted Young as a profiteer who exploited desperate Afghan civilians, charging them exorbitant fees to help them evacuate Afghanistan following the U.S. military's withdrawal in 2021.

CNN denied the defamation claims, maintaining that it stood by its reporting. However, the network later acknowledged regret over using the term "black market" to describe Young's operations.

The controversy stems from Young’s role as a security consultant, helping corporations and nonprofit organizations evacuate people from Afghanistan as the Taliban took control of the country. CNN’s segment on the evacuation efforts suggested that Afghans were being "exploited" with "impossible" fees, implying that Young’s services were illegal or part of a "black market."

Young argued that CNN’s portrayal was false, explaining that he worked exclusively with corporations and NGOs and that the high fees were a result of the overwhelming demand for evacuation services. He claimed the segment caused him significant personal and professional harm, leading to severe emotional distress and a loss of income.

The defamation case marked a rare victory against a major news outlet. Defamation lawsuits are often challenging for plaintiffs, as libel laws generally offer protections for journalists. To win, Young had to demonstrate that CNN had published false information knowing it was misleading or reckless.

CNN’s efforts to dismiss the case were unsuccessful, and the legal process proceeded, eventually leading to the jury’s decision and the subsequent settlement.